CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a third supermarket in a Rossendale town are back on the table.

Supermarket giant, Aldi, was refused planning permission to build a store in Railway Road, Ramsbottom, earlier this year.

But now plans have been re-submitted and councillors said in these times of financial turmoil it was ‘important we allow families with lower incomes the freedom to buy their weekly shop at the most suitable place’.

This has left some smaller traders in the town unhappy as they say a third supermarket could force them out.

Janet Hodgson, who owns the Flower Gallery, Bridge Street, said: ”I have nothing against Aldi as a company, but this will mean a third supermarket in a small town, and it is not needed.

“Small businesses will disappear if we do not do something about this, and when that happens, the people of Ramsbottom will be sad that supermarkets have taken over.

“Local people need to write to their councillors to express their feelings, because that is the only way we can stop this from happening.”

Janet accumulated over 400 objections in a local petition when the initial plans were presented to Bury Council.

Aldi’s first proposal was rejected on grounds that the design would not fit in with the character of the town.

But Coun Diana Ashworth said: “This is a complicated issue and I can see two sides of the argument.

“Local shopkeepers are concerned that a new supermarket would have effects on their businesses and other small traders in the town.

“However, it is important that we allow families with lower incomes the freedom to buy their weekly shop at the most suitable place for the them.”

Aldi bosses said that if the revised planning application was given the green light, 16 jobs would be created for local people.